About

At Royal Arch Lake, Yosemite

Hello and welcome. I’m Larry Patten, a United Methodist pastor if you want to slap a label on me. I’ve served churches in various settings, including stints as a hospice chaplain and campus minister. Way back in June 2007 I finished nearly nine years at a church in Fresno, California. Before reaching the tenth year, I decided I wanted to spend more minutes with my wife than with committee meetings and to also reclaim time for writing.

Currently, I’m working part-time as a Bereavement Support Specialist (fancy title, eh?) with Hinds Hospice in Fresno, CA.

Maintaining this site is an essential commitment to my calling. Before formal ordination, my relationship with the Holy included writing, on wondering about my faith through and with words. And there’s also wandering into the wilderness. Inspired by the likes of John Muir, I’ve gone “to the mountains to get their glad tidings.” I’m married (we did the “I do” in Yosemite’s chapel), don’t have kids, and–sadly–our home has experienced the death of pets during 2014. Two of our cats (13 year-old Moses and 15 year-old Madison) died before summer. In October of 2014, we helped our beautiful 14+ year-old golden retriever Hannah have a peaceful death and a few weeks after that the oldest of the kitties, Jynx, died at 16.

Now we have Liam (who kinda showed up at our doorstep) and Milo (who wooed my wife when she visited the local animal shelter). In March of 2015, we added a new puppy: Kynzi.

Though enthused about many subjects—from taking the Bible seriously but not literally, to full equality for queers and straights, and with appreciation of other faith traditions—I try not to take myself too seriously. “Angels can fly,” G.K. Chesterton wrote, “because they take themselves lightly.”

As of May, 2017, I have stopped posting weekly reflections on the Lectionary. If you want to read the “old” essays, they are still available. To help you find ’em, use the feeble suggestions found HERE.

I will continue to write a weekly, new musing. I will continue to include “and yet” in each essay. Mostly I’ll focus on what strikes my fancy as I wander about my little world. I hope a few of my thoughts provide inspiration or frustration (in a good way) for any readers who stumble onto this site.

Hi, Larry!
I found your blog on my dad’s computer. I’m excited to follow you. I started to read your book, but with my two little ones (Tobin & Sammie) I haven’t been able to finish it yet. It has been a great read thus far.

Hello Larry,
I’m currently querying literary agents and saw you on Dawn Dowdle’s list of clients at the Blue Ridge Literary Agency. I was wondering if you could tell me about your experience working with her.
Thank you,
Mary Ellen

Larry, you are a top bloke. Thanks as ever for sharing something of yourself on the web. I was delighted to find your site by accident and it/you has nourished me with faith, hope and love, ever since. Sincerely, Marc (Uk – Norwich).

Afternoon Larry,
Guess I’m no longer on your mailing list, since I made the big move from Kerman to Fresno. Love my new digs who I share with my dog, Abbie. She is a very sweet and love able pitty.
I was thinking about you the past several days, and finally decided to check you out. Wow you look just the same as when we worked together.
Will tell Pat I found your site, as we go swimming 3 days a week.
Take care